Invalid bed or couch



2 Sheets -Sheet 1.

(No Model.) v

R. VAN W. WIGKS. INVALID BED 0R COUCH No. 535,430. Patented Mar. 12,1895.

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(No Model.) Sheets-Sheet 2.

R. VAN W. WIGKS.

I INVALID BED 0R 0011011. No. 535,430. Patented Mar. 12. 1895..

WITNESSES: INVENTI'OH r g 71/ .%WQ%

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THE Ncmus PEYERS 00.. wnoloLm ic; WASHINGTON, o c.

UNITED STATEs PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD VAN' WYKE WICKS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

INVALID BED OR COUCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 53 5,430, dated March12, 1895.

Application filed May 10, 1894- Serial No. 510,773- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.- Be it known that I, RICHARD VAN WYKE WICKS,of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have inventeda new and Improved Invalid Bed or Couch, of which the following is afull, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improvement in invalid beds or couches, andit has for its'object to so construct the bed or couch that a personlying thereon by a slight movement of the body and with comparatively noexertion, may elevate or depress the head section and maintain saidsection at any desired point between a horizontal and a verticalposition, the entire operation of the couch being under the completecontrol of the person reclining thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the mattressautomatically adjusting itself to the position of the central portion ofthe body as the latter is carried from a horizontal position, and alsoto automatically provide a support for the legs of the person at thethigh and knees when the body is moved from a horizontal position.

Another object of the invention is to providea head rest or pillow whichwill be cool, simple, and durable in its construction, the

said pillow or head rest being capable of adjustment laterally andvertically.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of theseveral parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed outin the claims.

Reference isto be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, in which similar figures and letters of referenceindicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a perspective view of the improved couch, illustrating thehead section as slightly elevated and the foot board as carried out ofthe way, being entirely below the level of the mattress. Fig. 2 is aside elevation of the couch or bed, the head section being elevated andthe foot board being shown as converted into a table facing the occupantof the couch. Fig. 3 is a cross section taken essentially on the line3-3 of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section through thecouch, the foot board being illustrated in poreverse of that shown inFig. 2.

sition as a table and facing away from the occupant of the couch, thisposition being the Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the couch or bed, themattress being in a horizontal position from end to end, and the footboard in position as such;

and Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating the manner in which themattress is connected with the movable head section, and the meansmediate cross bars 12, which are located at" intervals apart between thefoot end of the couch frame and the central portion thereof. This mainframe is supported by suitable legs 13, and at thehead end of the saidframe the top portions of the end rails are recessed, rendering the saidrails at the'head narrower than at any other point in their length, andthe recesses terminate at their inner ends in inclined walls a; but uponthe inner faces of the wide portions of the said side boards a recess a,is produced, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 4. v

The head portion of the main frameis provided with an adjustable frameA, capable of being raised and lowered, and this frame consists of sidebars 14, which are located within the recessed portions of the mainframe, and the said side boards 14 are pivotally connected between theireentersand lower ends to the side rails of the main frame adjacent tothe recessed faces a. thereof, the fulcrum of the adjustable frame beingdesignated in the drawings as 1%. Above the fulcrum of the side boardsof the adjustable frame, or what may be termed the adjustable head frameof the couch, the side bars are widened laterally, the extensionsthereof being designated as 14, and the said extensions of this frameare of such width that when the frame is carried to a horizontalposition, resting upon the front cross bar 11 of the main frame, thesaid extensions will rest upon the recessed portions of the side boardsof the main frame, and the outer faces of both will be flush. The innerends of the extensions 14 of the sides of the adjustable head frame arebeveled, as shown at a*, the beveled surfaces being adapted to meet thebeveled Walls a of the aforesaid recesses in the main frame, as isclearly shown in Fig. 5.

The side boards of the adjustable head frame are connected at theirouter ends bya cross bar 15, and also by intermediate c'ross bars, and across bar located at the extreme inner end of the frame, the said barsbeing designated by the reference numeral 16; and between the extremeinner cross bar 16 and the adjoining intermediate cross bar an auxiliarycross bar 16*, is made to extend from side to side of the frame.

It may here be remarked that the outer extensions 14 of the main sidebars 14 of the adjustable head frame extend above the upper edges of thesaid main side bars, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4; and the mainside bars extend below the lower edge of the auxiliary or extensionsides 14, so that when the head frame is in a horizontal position themain side bars 14 extend down well between the side boards of the mainframe.

Rollers 18, are located at the extreme inner end of the side bars of theadjustable head frame, and the said frame is provided with a latch bar19, spring controlled and having hinged connection with the centralportion of its upper cross bar 15, as is best shown in Fig. 4. Thislatch baris provided at its outer edge with a series of notches orrecesses 20, adapted for engagement with a keeper 21, which is in thenature of a cross bar secured preferably to the side boards of the mainframe, usually to their under edges. A cord 22, or the equivalentthereof, is attached to the lower portion of thislatch bar 19, and thesaid cord is usually led'over a pulley located upon one of the crossbars 16 of the adjustable head frame, and out through an openingproduced in the right-hand side board of the main frame, the said cordbeing made to terminate in a handle 23.

The adjustable head frame operates in conjunction with a tension andguide frame B. This frame consists of a cylindrical or roller like head24, and side bars 25, the latter being connected with the inner faces ofthe side boards of the main frame, the pivot being passed through thesidebars 25 between their centers and upper ends, and into the sideboards of the main frame A, usually at a point about centrally betweentheir ends, as is shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The head 24 is of such aweight as to keep the side bars 25 up against the rollers 18 upon thehead frame.

The rollers 18 upon the adjustable head frame are adapted to travel uponthe forward edges of the side bars 25 of the tension frame B, the saidedges being usually curved so as to accommodate the rollers when thesaid adjustable head frame is in either an upper or a lower position,since the rollers constantly engage with the tension frame B. Therefore,the main side bars of the adjustable head frame are in alignment withthe side bars of the tension frame, both of them being contained-withinthe main frame of the couch.

The curved surface of the tension frame against which the head frame hasbearing,is designated in the drawings as 27; and it is evident that whenthe head frame is carried to an inclined position its inner end willcause the lower portion of the tension frame to drop downward, wherebyit will assume an inclined position substantially as shown in Fig. 4,and that when the head frame is carried to a horizontal position, theroller in traveling up the sides of the tension frame will allowthelatter to fold horizontally within the main frame, and practicallybeneath the side bars of the head frame, which position is illustratedin Fig. 5.

Springs 28, are located upon the cross bars 12 of the main frame andupon the cross bars 16 of the adjustable head frame, and these springsare adapted to engage with the bottom of a mattress 29, preferably madeof woven wire, the said mattress being secured at one end to the footportion of the main frame'A, and at its opposite end to the outer end ofthe adjustable head frame A. An attachment is also made between theinner end of the adjustable head frame and the mattress 29, the saidattachment being accomplished usually and preferably by attachingaseries of chains 30 to the cross bar 16 of the adjustable head frameand to the mattress, any desired number of chains being employed.Usually they are arranged at predetermined intervals apart, and extendin a row transversely across the mattress.

The mattress passes over the cylindrical head 24: of the tension frameB. Oonsequently when the adjustable head frame is carried to an upperposition, the lower end of that frame in dropping will carry downwardwith it that portion of the mattress which is attached to the bar 16;and as this inner end of the head frame is dropped, the springs at theextreme inner end of the frame will be carried out of engagement withthe mattress, and at the same time the guide or tension frame B will becarried downward in a manner to bring its head 24: to a bearing againstthe under side of the mattress, substantially taking the place of thesprings removed therefrom. Under this construction the mattress willform apocket at that portion where the greatest weight of the body issustained, and the head 2% of the tension frame will serve in a greatmeasure as a rest for the legs of the occupant of the couch at theknees, the thighs resting easily on the inclined surface of the pocketjust above referred to. It is also evident that by reason of theattachment of the mattress to the inner end of the adjustable headframe, a slight movement of the body in direction of the foot will serveto raise the head section to the required degree, while a reversemovement will serve to lowerit. The movement of the body inaccomplishing the adjustment of the head section is comparativelyslight, being merely the shifting of the weight to one side or the otherof the fulcrum of the head section, or to one side or the other of thatportion of the mattress which is attached to the inner end of the headframe.

When the upward adjustment of the head section is to be madesimultaneously with the required movement of the body, the cord 22 isdrawn upon in the manner to carry the latch 19 out of engagement withits keeper 21, and when the required engagement has been obtained thecord is released, and the spring of the latch will return it to anengagement with its keeper, thus maintaining the head section in theposition in which it was placed. The same manipulation of the cord isrequired when the head section is tobe lowered. I

A cross bar 12 is located over the keeper bar 21, as shown in Figs. 1and 4, and the two sections of this cross bar terminate at each side ofthe center of the keeper 21, and serve to prevent the latch 19 fromhaving lateral movement, While the said cross bar 12 also serves assupport for springs 28 for the head section of the mattress when in ahorizontal position. Aslide-way 31, is longitudinally formed upon theouter face of each extension 14 of the side bars of the adjustable headsection A, and corresponding slide-ways 32, are produced upon the outerfaces of the side boards of the main frame, extending from the foot orrear end to a point at or. near the pivot of the adjustable headsection. The slide way 31, is adapted to receive a pillow or head rest0, and this pillow or head rest comprises a frame consisting of twoessentially inverted U-sections, made ordinarily of wrought iron, andthe members of each U section are passed through sockets 36, located atthe ends of the connecting bar 35, the connecting bars of the sectionsbeing adapted to slide in the ways 31.

The sockets are provided with set screws 37, whereby the frame sectionsof the pillow may be adjusted vertically and held in .adjustedposition;.and the sections are longitudinally adjusted by moving theconnecting bars or plates 35in the slide-ways, and securingthem in thedesired position by meansof set screws 38. The inverted U-frames areconnected by a strip 34 of a fabric, usually cantonflann el, or theequivalent, but canvas may be used if desired. This fabric serves as asupport for the head, and is secured to the upper portion of eachU-frame,and preferably extends downward along the inner members of theframes in order topreserve the neck and shoulders of the personoccupying the couch from draft.

A foot board D is employed in connection with the couch, which iscapable of various adjustments, and for use as a reading desk or tableas occasion may demand. The foot board consists of a board 39, havingstandards 40 attached to one face near one side edge; and each standardis pivotally connected with a bar or plate 41, the said bars or platesbeing adapted to enter and to slide in the ways 32 on the body frame ofthe couch. The board 39, is held at a right angle toits bracket bars 40,through the medium of braces 42, preferably of segmental shape, .whichare connected with the board near its opposite end and with the saidbracket bars 40, as shown in the drawings; and a segmental latch bar 43,is pivotally connected with each bracket bar 40, the latch bar beingprovided at one end with a series of notches or recesses 44; and eachsliding bar 41 of the foot board is provided preferably with a stud 45,at what may be termed its inner or free end.

is used as shown in Fig. 5,its sliding bars are made to enter the ways32, and are carried in said ways until the board, which is in aperpendicular position, is brought to the foot of the main frame andmade to rest upon the extension 46 at that portion of theframe. In theevent it is needed as a reading. table for example, the board is carriedto a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 2, facing the occupant, andis then slid along the main frame until it is brought in proper relationto the occupant. The foot board may now be used as a desk, and may begiven any inclination desired in a downward direction toward theoccupant, by adjusting the latches 43 with relation to the studs 45, asillustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

As shown in Fig. 1, when the foot board is not needed and it is desiredto have it placed out of the way, the board is made toface downward, andis placed in a vertical position facing the foot of the bed. The slidingbars 41, are then made to enter the slide-ways 32, and the sliding baris moved inwardly in 40, rest upon the extension 46 at the foot of themain frame. If the board is in this position and it is needed as a deskor as a table, the board is elevated to a horizontal position, as shownin Fig. 4, facing away from the. occupant of the couch, and the table atits free end may be elevated so that it will incline toward the personoccupying the couch to any predetermined extent by adjusting the latches44 with relation to the studs 45, as has heretofore been stated. A

A couch of the above description is exceedingly comfortable, .and isespecially adapted for the use of any one desiring perfect rest, orforan invalid, since if .the body can be moved at all, and the occupant hasany use of the right arm, the said occupant may ad just the couch to anyposition that comfort or fancy may dictate, or that may be required toobtain rest for the body.

It will be understood that if occasion may require, friction rollers maybe placed in the slideways or upon the parts entering the ways.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. An invalid bed or couch, the same comsaid waysuntil the ends of the bracket bars' In the operation of the foot board,when it ICO prising a main frame, a head section or frame pivoted in themain frame, a mattress connected to the main frame and likewise to theadjustable frame, and a connection between the adjustable frame at oneside of its fulcrum and the mattress intermediate the ends of thelatter,whereby the mattress is depressed or drawn downward under tensionwhen the head section is elevated, substantially as shown and described.

2. In an invalid bed or couch, a main frame, a head frame or sectionfulcrumed in the main frame and extendinginward beyond its fulcrum, aspring mattress connected to the main frame and to the adjustable headsection or frame, and a connection, substantially as shown anddescribed, between the spring mattress and the adjustable head frame atthe inner side of its fulcrum, as and for the purpose specified.

3. In an invalid bed or couch, amain frame, a head section or framefulcrumed in the main frame and extending inwardly beyond its fulcrum, atension frame pivoted in the main frame, the inner end of the head framebeing in contact with the opposing edges of thetensionframe,aspringmattress connected to the main frame and to the head frame,the said spring mattress being passed over the tension frame, and aconnection between the mattress and the head frame between theinner endand fulcrum of the latter, whereby when the head frame is adjusted to aninclined position the tension frame is adjusted in substantially asimilar manner, is brought to a bearing against the mattress and themattress is depressed or drawn downward bythe inner end of the headframe, causing a depression to be produced in the mattress between thehead frame and tension frame, substantially as shown and described.

4. In an invalid bed or couch, a main frame provided with a keeper bar,a head frame fulcrumed in the main frame, a spring mattress attached atone end to the main frame and at its opposite end to the head frame, alatch carried by the head frame and adapted for engagement with thekeeper, a cable connected with the latch near its free end and carriedto the outer side of the main frame, whereby the latch may bemanipulated without the occupant leaving the couch, and a tension frameadapted to support the mattress in advance of the head frame as and forthe purpose set forth.

5. In an invalid bed or couch, a main frame provided with a keeper, ahead frame fulcrumed in the main frame and extending inwardly beyond itsfulcrum, a spring mattress connected to the main frame and to theadjustable head frame, a tension device operated by the head frame andadapted for engagement with the mattress, and a connection between themattress and the head frame,

at the inner side-of fulcrum, a spring-con trolled latch adapted forengagement with the keeper,and means,substantially as described, foroperating the latch, as and for the purpose specified.

6. In an invalid bed or couch, a main frame, an adjustable head framefulcrumed in the main frame and extending inward beyond its fulcrum, aspring mattress connected to the main frame and to the head frame, aconnection with the mattress between its ends and the head frame at theinner side of its fulcrum, and a tension device located in front of theinnerend of the head frame, operated by said frame, and adapted forengagement with the mattress, as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In an invalid bed or couch, a main frame, an adjustable head framefulcrumed in the main frame and extending inward beyond its fulcrum, aspring mattress connected to the main frame and to the head frame, aconnection of the mattress between its ends with the'head frameat theinnersideofits fulcrum, a tension device located in front of the innerend of the head-frame, operated by said frame and adapted for engagementwith the mattress, and means, substantially as shown and described forlocking the head frame in a predetermined position, as and for thepurpose set forth.

8. In an invalid bed or couch, a frame con-- structed in two sections,one of which is adjustable, a spring mattress extending over bothframes, and connected therewith, the mattress being also connectedbetween its ends with the adjustable frame, to draw the mattressdownward at the point where it is connected, between its ends, to themovable frame as and for the purpose specified.

9. An invalid bed or couch constructed in sections one of which isadjustable and adapted as a head section, a spring mattress connected tothe stationary section and to the adjustable section, the said mattressbe ing connected between its ends to the adjustable section near itsfulcrum, and a tension device operated by the adjustable section adaptedfor engagement with the mattress, as and for the purpose specified.

10. In a bed or couch, the combination, with the frame thereof,slide-ways carried by the frame, plates having movement in the saidslide-ways, and provided with a locking device and with sockets carryingset screws, of a pillow or head rest, the same consisting of yokestandards the members of which are passed through the said sockets, anda fabric, or yielding connection, adapted as a head support andextending from one standard to the other, as and for the purposespecified.

.RIOI-IARD VAN WYKE WIOKS.

Witnesses:

O. SEDGWIOK, J. FRED ACKER.

